Chapter 22

A caseworker from CPS arrived the following morning. Ella stocked our cupboards and refrigerator with fresh food. She decorated Julie's bedroom, using her favourite colours. I noticed Ella purchased Julie some name-brand clothes, but not all were name-brand.

"Very nice," she said. "I noticed you have another bedroom for a girl and one for a boy. Are you fostering other children?"

I giggled. "These aren't my foster children," I said as I passed her a family portrait. "These are my children, Mallory and Curtis."

"How old are they?" she asked.

"Fifteen. My twins attend Stanford university," I answered.

"That's very young," she said through a whistle.

"Tell me about it. I miss them terribly," I confessed.

"Everything checks out," she stated after checking a few more rooms. "I'll drop by next month for another visit."

"Thank you, Tarin. We'll see you next month," I replied.

"I'll see you next month, Julie," she said with a wave.

"See you, Tarin. Thank you for checking on me."

I sat on the couch and pulled Julie onto my lap. "You're an amazing little girl. Have you talked to your dad today?" I asked.

"Not yet. I think he's on a plane," she replied. "He's coming home."

Michael and I set up an apartment in the basement for Ranger and Julie. Having them share this enormous house with us would make the most sense. We'll be close by whenever Ranger is deployed.

"I like it here," Julie said as she rested her head on my shoulder.

"We like it here too," I admitted. "Would you like the grand tour?" We were too tired to tour the house last night. Early this morning we had Tarin Palmer drop in for a basic house tour and visit. She was given the freedom to wander throughout all the levels. I could tell she was impressed with the house.

"Lead the way," she said as she jumped from my lap. I started in the basement since it was the area I wanted her to see first. "Wow. Your basement is big enough for an apartment. If it's okay with everyone, could we live here?"

"You want to live in my basement?" I asked.

"Yes. We could use this door to enter and exit the house. If we lock the door at the top of those stairs, you could have your privacy too," she replied. I listened as she tried to convince me it was a great idea. Little did she know, it was the reason I wanted her to see this space.

"Do you think your father would agree?" I asked.

"He'll do whatever I ask. Would it be alright with you and uncle Mike?"

"Definitely," Michael said from the top of the stairs.

"What will I do, hija?" Ranger asked.

"Oh, hi papa. I was asking Steph if we could use her basement as an apartment for us," she shyly replied.

He kneeled in front of Julie and held her face between his hands. Ranger quickly looked at me to gauge my reaction. I gave him a small nod, indicating it was alright with me and Michael. "Cariño, if this is what you really want, I'll do it for you," he said as he looked into Julie's eyes.

"Thank you, papa," she said as her arms wrapped tightly around his chest. I laughed when she dragged him around the basement, telling him how she wanted to decorate the space. Michael and I gave them time to sort their space and make plans for Ella to order everything.

"Are you okay with them living here with us?" I asked.

"Anie, you're giving them a place to call home. Ranger will rest easier knowing we're keeping Julie safe while he's away. He's our friend and our family. Of course, I'm okay with them living here," he replied.

"You are an amazing man. I love you, Michael Ramsey."

"I love you too, Stephanie Ramsey," he reciprocated.

We heard a giggle from behind us. Breaking the kiss, I looked over Michael's shoulder. "You two are adorable," Julie said between giggles. Ranger rolled his eyes.

"Babe, Ram, can we talk?"

"I'll go to my room and make that list for Tia Ella, papa," Julie called from the top of the stairs.

"I've rewritten my will. Julie's inheritance remains the same. Babe, you are the trustee and Ram is the executor. I've left everything I own to you, Babe. I only ask that you adopt Julie if I don't return," he stated.

"Are you been deployed?" I asked. I didn't want or need his money.

"No. I want to have everything in place as a precaution. Julie needs to know she has a permanent home," he replied.

"She's welcome to stay as long as she needs," I offered.

"You are an amazing woman. I know you will take care of Julie and my company. Your children have been blessed to be raised by you and I want Julie to have a piece of that life," he explained. "Please, Babe. Let me leave my company and fortune to you."

Michael and I exchanged a look before I nodded. "If you're sure Carlos. Despite everything she's experienced, Julie is an amazing girl. She will need therapy to get over this trauma and everything she experienced at Ron and Rachel's hands. Michael and I will treat her as our own," I reassured him. He nodded in agreement.

"When you're here, she can live in the basement apartment with you. If you're working the night shift or deployed, she'll stay in the room upstairs. I want her to know someone will always be around," Michael added.

"I finally see it," Ranger said with amusement.

"See what?" I asked.

"That you and Ram belong together. Someday, I hope to find a love like yours," he confessed.

"You will, Carlos. Keep the faith," I stated. I sat on his lap to hug him. He wrapped his arms around me and buried his face into my neck.

"I love you, Babe. Thank you for saving my daughter and being my friend," he whispered.

"I love you too, Carlos. You're my friend and I would do anything for you and Julie," I reciprocated.

I could feel his smile against my neck. He moved to look into my eyes, "Best friends?"

"Best friends," I agreed. I kissed his lips lightly before returning to my husband.

Michael and Carlos did some kind of complicated fist-bump handshake. I shook my head and left them alone to talk.

"Julie?" I quietly said as I knocked on her bedroom door. I didn't hear a response so I quietly opened the door. Julie was sprawled across her bed, hugging the teddy bear from her father.

"Did you know I bought her that teddy bear when she was born? I wanted to give it to her, but Rachel wouldn't let me. Ella had it stored away," Carlos said over my shoulder.

"She loves it and she knows it's from you. The dog tags kind of gave it away," I joked. I noticed the dented, scuffed-up tags hanging around the bear's neck last night. "It was a very nice touch."

"I hope she knows I always loved her," he said, sadness lacing his words.

"Believe me, she knows," I told him. I grabbed his hand to lead him towards the kitchen. My stomach gave a loud grumble. "Sorry, I'm hungry. It's already past lunchtime."

He laughed as he allowed me to drag him along. I put together some grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. Just as I placed a sandwich in Julie's spot, she arrived for lunch. "Smelled my favourite," she stated before taking a seat.

"It's Lory and Curt's favourite too," I told her.

She dropped her sandwich on the plate and launched herself into her father's arms. "You're still here," she cried.

"There's no place I'd rather be, cariño," he told her. I heard Julie whisper thank you before she returned to her chair.

'We saved another life today, Jeremy. She was used and abused by her mother. You showed me how to love and I thank you every day for loving me. I don't know what would have happened if she returned to that toxic home. Please watch over Julie too. She's my daughter in my heart. Thank you, Jeremy,' I quietly prayed.

Michael reached over to squeeze my hand. I raised my eyebrows, silently asking if I talked aloud. He shook his head and gave my hand another squeeze. My wonderful husband knew what I did and offered me support. It makes me love him even more.

Julie returned to school the following day. I had to purchase a new uniform for her to wear. All day long, I had a feeling something wasn't right.

"Do you have a minute?" I asked after knocking on Ranger's door.

"Come in, Babe," he said while motioning to the chair in front of his desk.

"My spidey senses are buzzing. We need to find another school for Julie," I stated.

"Done," he said while picking up his phone. He referred to a number written on a post-it note to place a call. I listened as he made arrangements for Julie to start at the new school. "Money isn't an issue," he stated. "I'll be paying tuition."

I heard him relay the details. Julie would have bodyguards present at all times. Their names and description will be available once I select her guards. I'm her foster mother and only Michael and I could pick her up from school. Once he's awarded custody, he will be added to the list.

He ended the call and smiled at me. "I'm permitted to have contact with Julie. Until I'm awarded custody, I've been advised to refrain from picking her up from school. I would like Julie to select her own bodyguards," he stated.

"Sounds fair. She should have a say," I agreed. My phone rang as I reached for the doorknob. "Hello, Stephanie speaking," I answered.

"Mrs. Stephanie Ramsey?" the timid woman asked.

"This is she," I replied.

"Hi, my name is April Zander, the secretary at Sacred Heart. Julie Martine was involved in an altercation with a few students. She's been expelled and needs to be picked up immediately," she stated.

"Okay. Are you permitted to tell me with whom she had the altercation?" I asked but didn't expect an answer. I had a feeling I already knew who caused the problem.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not permitted to say. Please pick her up immediately," April stated before hanging up.

"Julie's school?" Ranger asked.

"Yes. She's been expelled. Will that impact her attendance at St Georges?" I wondered.

"No," he answered. I could only hope he was right.

Michael and I drove to Sacred Heart. We went directly to the office and saw a very angry Julie sitting in the principal's office. "I want to go home," she snapped.

"Not so fast, young lady. I need to speak to your foster parents first," Felix Barker stated. "Wait with Ms. Zander." Julie stomped from the office and closed the door a little harder than necessary.

"What happened?" I asked.

"Julie had some problems adjusting this morning. Some kids in her grade were calling her some unsavoury names. It escalated to the point where a few younger students accused her of ruining their lives," he explained.

"You don't need to confirm, but I bet they were her younger brother and sister. Did she push, hit, bite or berate them or anyone else?" I asked.

"No. She remained eerily calm as they pushed, hit, but and berated her. We run a very peaceful school. Julie was in the centre of every altercation today. Unfortunately, we can't allow her to attend Sacred Heart. We have other children to keep safe," he answered.

It was bullshit, but we were planning to pull her anyways. "Julie went through a very traumatic event. She did nothing to warrant such disregard from her fellow classmates and peers. I hope you and your faculty learn to pull your heads from your asses and arrange for counselling for your students. What Julie experienced affected her classmates as much as it affected her. They need help to move past this event. We are withdrawing Julie from Sacred Heart," I said while standing from my seat.

"I have a message from Mr. Manoso," Michael added. "He will not be donating extra money to finance your arts and music programs." Michael handed him a formal letter stating all future donations to the school are terminated effective immediately.

"Good day, Mr. Barker," I said as we left the office. "Let's go, Julie. Do you have everything from your locker?"

"Yes. I just want to get out of here before I completely lose my shit," she barked sounding exactly like her father.

"You will never have to come back here again. Have you heard of St Georges?" I asked.

"It's the best school in Miami and very difficult to get into. You have to be like a genius to attend," she replied.

"Well guess what smarty pants?"

"What?" she answered while squirming.

"Your father arranged for you to attend St Georges. The principal is aware of your circumstances and arranged to have an assembly to discuss respect and compassion," I stated.

"Really?" she asked excitedly. "When do I start?"

"In a few days. We need to wait for your uniforms," I replied.

She grabbed her phone from her pocket to call her father. I listened as she repeatedly thanked him. "Dad says I need bodyguards," Julie stated when she ended the call.

"You do. Didn't you already have one?" I asked. Ranger mentioned she had a detail, but we don't know what happened during that day.

"I did, but the day I was kidnapped, I was waiting for Caleb and Amber at the back of the school. My guard was at the front," she stated.

"Who was your guard?" I wondered.

"Josh Mackie. He wasn't a good guard," she replied.

"Why would you say that?" I asked.

"He was always talking to Miss Fisher. I think he was trying to date her."

"If he was on duty, his primary focus should have been you. Would you like to select your new guards?" I asked. Her radiant smile was her reply.